CRICKET PROSPECTS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 1, 24 September 1937, Page 6

CRICKET PROSPECTS

Hastings Association Looks to a Record Season

SUGGESTIONS MADE "With Cornwall Park now available we look forward to a record season and extend our sincere appreciation to all players for the spirit in which they have acce'pted the makeshift arrangements of the past two seasons." states the annual report of the Hastings Crichet Sub-Association to be presented at the annual general meeting of delegates next Wednesday evening. "The practice wickets at Nelson Park have received speeial attention during the off-season, and we have high hopes \ that this year they will prove to be tlie best yet provided,'' adds .the report, which intimates that the committee will i submit at the general meeting the following suggestions for consideration : — (1) Introducing senior B iNapierHastings) grade and/or dividing junior teams into two sections. (2) Raising junior match fees to provide a fund for junior cricket week. Arrange annual senior and junior Napier v. Hastings fixtures on Labour Day. (4) Apply for permission to conduct junior cricket week in Hastings next season.

Past Season. Reviewed. / Reviewing the past season' s activities, the report states that though there was a loss of £7 4/- on the year's workings, the association's finances were in a satisfactory position, the excess of assets being £45, of which £35 10/- was in cash. Regarding the competition, the report points out that in the senior grade three tesyns were again entered from Hastings in the Hawke's Bay Cricket Association's Napier-Hastings competition, and though not successful in gaining major honours, these teams, by their performances, justified the continuance of the combined competition which has unquestionably improved the standard of play. It was a pleasure to record the excellent spirit that prevailed among the players in this intertown competition. In the junior grade Haumoana did not enter a team, and H.H.S.O.B. withdrew from the competition, bnt it was pleasant to note the appearance of teams from High Seliool 2nds and Otane. AltTiough every assistance was received from those responsible, efforts to provide the nine teams' with better wickets were not attended with the success desired, but the extra expenses this involved was fully justified. All teams met their engagements with commendable enthusiasm, and are thanked for their co-operation in absorbing the Napier junior bye. The standard of play showed a marked improvement in this grade, and an appeal is made to all players who* have been "classified" to meet the association's wishes and accept senior status. In the mid-week competition a most friendiy/, but keen, .spirft of rivalry existed betweeai tlie four competing teams, and the interspersing of one and two-day fixtures proved a big success. Representative programme. The annual Easter representative Match for the Gannet Cup against Mr L. J. Brabin's oolts was played in Wellington. Better support was accorded tho selection this year, but the Association would appreciate all players making themselves available for this fixture. A Saturday v. mid-week game, resulting in a win for the latter, was played on Anniversary Day. The junior representative team gained. a most praiseworthy success in being bracketed with Manawatu as winners of the junior cricket week lield in. Napier at Christmas time. Hawke's Bay representative honours were gained by M. E. Beuth, A. R. Biggar (Rugby), G. Geddis, H. N. Lambert, B. McCann, L. McCarthy (Hastings), and these players are congratulated on their hard-earned and well-merited success. Thanks to the effieient and fairminded manner in wliich the parent body is condueted, all matters were promptly and amicably attended to. The control of the junior cricket .week was all that could be desired and Mr Vi Hawke proved a most conscientious and capable delegate. In extending the thanks to all who offered or gave of their servic\s during the year, speeial mention is inade of tlie assistance received from the l'ress, the Hastings Borough Council, the Havelock Town Board, the High School authoritios and staff, Mr J. G. C. Mcx vVellington), tlie secretary (Mr C. Ar(Wellington(, the secretary (Mr C- Artliur) and the treasurer (Mr C. Ingram).